Monocle on Design Design in Dubai with ARDH Collective and Some Kind of Practice
Jan 13, 2026
Omar Darwish, co-founder of Some Kind of Practice and an architect delving into Emirati vernacular courtyard architecture, discusses his pavilion project at Dubai Design Week. He explores the essence of courtyards, detailing their historical, spatial, and material significance. Omar elaborates on the concept of 'liwan,' transitional spaces that balance privacy and openness. He also highlights the importance of utilizing local materials from diverse UAE biomes, aiming to reconcile modern architecture with cultural narratives.
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Materials Drive New Design Directions
- New materials are the most exciting pathway for designers to explore fresh forms.
- Local materiality and vernacular approaches reconnect design to place and sustainability.
Sustainability Needs Appeal To Succeed
- Early sustainability phases prioritised novel materials over aesthetics, creating an 'ugly' organic phase.
- Designers now need to make sustainable materials desirable to ensure long-term use and reduce waste.
Pavilion Made From Local Desert Sand
- ARDH Collective built a semi-circular pavilion at Dubai Design Week using dune-derived blocks.
- The space felt like a shaded microclimate that referenced local breeze-block and courtyard traditions.
